Boxing game

ABSTRACT

The boxing game of the present invention consists of a base upon which two housings are mounted for predetermined sliding movement, each housing being provided with handles extending therefrom within which operating buttons are mounted, boxing figurines are mounted on the housings and provided with torsos arranged to rock when struck and arms capable of being extended outwardly, individually and in combination, a system operatively connecting the operating buttons to the arms of each figurine for controlling movement of the arms, and a counting and recording system responsive to the rocking of each torso to record the number of successful blows and terminate the match in a predetermined manner.

[111 3,856,304 [451 Dec. 24, 1974 United States Patent [191 Matsumoto et al.

46/142 46/142 X 2/1966 Glass et al.

2,716,840 9/1955 Armstrong...... 3,106,800 10/1963 Fletcher.......... 3,235,259

[ BOXING GAME [75] Inventors: Takao Matsumoto; Masaru Aoki, (6/142 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS both of Tokyo, Japan [73] Assignee: Tony Kogyo Company, Ltd., Tokyo,

772,876 12/1967 Canada..............................273/85F 1,092,358 11/1954 France.....

Japan A 5 oo 3 7 2 22 Filed: Apr.30,1973

211 App]. No.: 355,728

Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Assistant Examiner-Harry G. Strappello Foreign Application Priority May 10, 1972 [57] ABSTRACT The boxing game of the present invention consists of a Data base upon which two housingsare mounted for'predetermined sliding movement, each housing being provided with handles extending therefrom within which operating buttons are mounted, boxing figurines are mounted on the housings and provided with torsos ar- 26 6 40 7 /3 .i 6 6 4 IG 93D] MD HA7 7 3 1 13 1R Wmz WAM mu6 m4 mmm mmm5 Tm mn WW8 n"e us l h C .M .t. e Umm 11]] 218 555 rtrlrl ranged to rock when struck and arms capable of being [56] References C'ted extended outwardly, individually and in combination, UNITED STATES PATENTS a system operatively connecting the operating buttons to the arms of each figurine for controlling movement of the arms, and a counting and recording system responsive to the rocking of each torso to record the number of successful blows and terminate the match in a predetermined manner.

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7 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures PATENTED DEB24 I974 SHEET 0F 7 PATENTED [1EC24I974 SHEET 5 BF 7 BOXING GAME BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to the class of toys wherein one or more players simulate the action of a competitive sport. In particular, the invention is directed towards a boxing game wherein the players manipulate boxing figurines permitting same to perform all of the normal functions of a boxer, including moving forward, from side to side, rearward and jabbing and punching with both arms, individually or in combinations. Additionally, each of the boxing figurines is provided with a system for detecting when a successful blow has been landed, and thereafter recording same. Upon landing a predetermined number-of successful blows, the losing boxer automatically rotates to'the floor of the canvas.

All of the normal functions attributable to a boxer may be performed by the amusement device disclosed herein which is characterized by its simplicity in construction, low cost of manufacture and reliability of use. I

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the boxing game invention illustrating the base which may be suitably mounted'upon any flat surface and the housings upon which the boxing figurines are mounted, the positioning of the-players hands upon the operating handles, as well as some indication of the mobility of the boxing figurines, being shown in phantom;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the boxing game invention illustrating the rotating capability of the housings upon'which the figurines are mounted and further mobility of the boxing figurines;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of a housing upon which one of the boxing figurines is mounted, and the actuating rods extending from the housing to the body of the boxer for controlling movement of both arms, as well as registering a successful blow on the torso by the opponent; V

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view illustrating an arm of one of the boxing figurines in normal position and the corresponding actuating button on the housing in its inoperative position;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view illustrating the same arm of the boxing figurine being moved outwardly into attacking position as the corresponding actuating button is depressed by the thumb of the player;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the upper portion of one of the boxers with a part of the torso thereof removed exposing the actuating rods and the connection of one of the arms to the torso;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of part of one of the boxers with a part of the torso thereof removed expos-' ing one of the actuating rods and the arrangement whereby the torso is permitted to rock when struck by the opponent;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the components of one of the arms of one of the boxers when inoperative;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the arm extending into attacking position as the corresponding actuating rod is raised;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the components of the system mountedwithin each of the housings for detecting and recording the landing of a successful blow on the torso of the boxer figurine;

FIG. 10a is a perspective view illustrating release of the counting mechanism as the actuating rodsecured to the torso is moved downwardly by the rocking action of the torso; a

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view .illustrating the rotation of the platform upon which each of the boxing figurines is mounted after a predetermined number of successful blows have been landed, this action simulating a knockdown signalling the end of the bout;

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view illustrating the normal position of one of the boxing figurines;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view illustrating rotation of the torso of the boxer as a successful blow is landed by his opponent; and

FIG. 14 is a rear elevational view of one of the boxing figurines illustrating the rocking capability achieved by moving the handles of each housing from side to side.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT example, screws, to any surface upon which the base rests, for example, a table top, to thus prevent the base 10 from sliding. Within the top surface of the base 10 are located two elongated slots 14.

Each of the boxer figurines, generally designated by the reference numeral 16, is positioned upon a housing 18. Each of the housings 18 is, in turn, provided with a downwardly depending support 20 which extends through the corresponding slot 14 permitting the housing 18 and figurine 16 to move backward and forward, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The housings 18 are provided with upwardly extending handles 22 which are gripped by the left and right hands 24 and 26, respectively, of the players. Mounted for reciprocating movement within each of the handles 22 is a button 28 which when depressed by the thumb of the user causes the corresponding arm of the boxer to move, as explained in detail hereinafter.

Turning now to FIG. 4, it will be seen that each of the housings 18 is provided with a lever 40 mounted for rotation about a shaft 42 appropriately journalled within the walls of the housing 18. One end of the lever 40 is provided with a resilient member 44 against which the lower flange 38 of the corresponding rod 34 is supported. The other end of each lever 40 engages the lowermost portion of each of the. buttons 28. It is to be understood that each of the buttons 28, 28', 28" and 28" is associated with a corresponding lever 40 for operating an associated rod 34. Thus, as the user depresses the button 28, the lever 40 is caused to rotate thus raising the rod 34 in the manner depicted in FIG. 5.

Turning now to FIGS. 8 and 9, it is noted that each of the amis 32 comprises a lower arm section. 46 from which the glove 64 extends and upper arm sections 48 and 50. The lower arm section 46 is mounted to the upper arm section 50 for rotation about a connecting pin 52. In like manner the lower arm section 46 is mounted to the upper ann section 48 for rotation about a connecting pin 54. The upwardly disposed end of the upper arm section 50 is operatively mounted to and for rotation abouta shaft 56 mounted within a chassis 58 provided within the torso 30, as illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6 and 8. In like manner, the upwardly disposed end of the upper arm section 48 is secured to and mounted for rotation about a shaft 60 which is also mounted within the chassis 58. Finally, springs 62, as illustrated in FIG. 6, are used to connect the upper flanges 36 of each of the rods 34 to the chassis 58. Thus, under the influence of the springs 62 each of the rods 34 is normally urged downwardly into the position illustrated in FIG. 4. This, of course, insures that the buttons 28 within the handles 22 are normally in raised position.

As will now be apparent, as the user depresses any one of the buttons 28, 28', 28" and 28", the corresponding rod 34 is moved upwardly to the position illustrated in FIG. against the force of the spring 62. Upward movement of the rod 34 causes, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the upper arm sections 48 and 50 to rotate about the rods 60 and 56, respectively, causing the lower arm section 46 and the glove 64 to extend outwardly rotating in relationship to the upper arm sections 48-and 50 about the pins 52 and 54, respectively.

The boxing action will now be described. Initially, the handles 22 are pulled backwardly causing the housings 18 to move backwardly within the slots 14 to the most rearward position. The slots 14 are located in such a manner that when the boxing figurines 16 are both pulled rearwardly by the players, each boxer. 16 is out of range of his opponents gloves, even when extended. That is, when one of the boxing figurines 16 is pulled rearwardly by the .handles 22, his opponent, even if pushed to the most forward position, cannot strike a blow even when the arms are extended. This feature insures that each player is permitted to move his boxer 16 to safety and be out of range of his opponent, if desired. The boxers 16 are permitted to move forward, and then to retreat, by the player pushing forward or pulling back on the handles 22, as generally illustrated in FIG 1. Also, the boxing figurines 16 may be turned from side to side, as illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 2, since the supports of the housings 18 are free to rotate within the slots 14. As the boxers 16 move forward, rearward and from side to side, the players selectively, and in combinatiomdepress the buttons 28, 28,

28" and 28" causing the gloves 64 to move forward varying degrees controlled by the degree of depression of the buttons 28, to perform the usual boxing strokes, for example, jabbing. It will be further noted from FIG. 14 that the bottom surface 66 of each of the housings 18 rests'upon. an up-raised ledge 68 formed as an integral part of the top surface of the base 10. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 14, during the boxing match the players may tilt the boxing figurines 16 from side to side to gain advantage and to block punches.

As will be further apparent from FIG. 1, the gloves 64, when fully extended, are in the general proximity of the head 70 and the top of the torso 30 of an opponent. The objective is to strike the head 70 on torso 30 of ones opponent with the gloves 64. To stimulate the interest of the players, a system has been devised for detecting and recording blows to the head and torso, now to be described.

Returning to FIGS. 3, 6, 4, 7, it will be noticed that a third rod 72 passes upwardly through the top of each of the housings l8 terminating upwardly in a flange 74 fixedly secured to the back of the torso 30. The hollow torso 30 is, in turn, permitted to rotate about the shafts 56 and 60. A spring 76 operatively connects the torso 30 to the chassis 58 so as to normally hold the head of the torso 30 in its forward position.

Turning now to FIG. 10, it will be seen that the bottom portion 78 of each rod 72 protrudes downwardly into the counting mechanism now' to be described.

Suitably mounted within each housing 18 is a frame 80 below which a chassis'82 is secured. An arm 84 terminating to the side in plate 86 is mounted for rotation about a pin 88 journalled within the arms 90 extending upwardly from the chassis 82. A spring 92 is secured at one end thereof to a hook 94 which forms part of the arm 84 and at the other end thereof to the chassis 82. Thus, the plate 86 is normally urged upwardly engaging the bottom 78 of the rod 72.

At the other end of the chassis 82 is found an arm 96 mounted for rotation about a shaft 98 secured to the chassis82. A spring 100 is secured at one end to the free end 1020f the arm 96 and at the other end thereof to the chassis 82,'thus normally urging the arm 96 to the right. Spaced inwardly from-the arm 96 is a disc 104 provided along the surface thereof with a cut-out portion 106. The disc 104 is secured to a shaft 108 appropriately journalled to the chassis 82. A coil spring 110 is wound around the lowermost portion of the shaft 108 and secured at its free end to the chassis 82. A gear wheel 112 is mounted to the shaft 108 such that the teeth thereof mesh with the teeth of a gear wheel 114 mounted for rotation about a shaft 116 journalled within the chassis 82. Positioned above the gear wheel 114 is a larger gear wheel 118 having teeth that mesh withthe teeth of a gear wheel 120 secured to a shaft 122 also journalled within the chassis 82. Secured to the top of the shaft 122 forrotation therewith is a disc 124 provided at the top thereof with a ridge 126.

As will be apparent from FIG. 11, the feet of the boxing figurine 16 are mounted upon a platform 128 mounted to the housing 18 for rotation about a shaft 130 extending therethrough. Returning to FIG. 10, it is noted that a latching element 132 is mounted for rotation about a shaft 134 appropriately journalled within the housing 18 in any suitable manner. The latching element 132 is normally urged counterclockwise bya spring 136 secured at one end to the housing 18 in any conventional manner and at the other end thereof to an arm 138 formed as a part of the latching element 132. As will be further apparent, the'latching element 132 extends upwardly through an opening'140 formed at the right end of the frame 80 and also through an opening 142 formed in the platform 128, as seen in FIG. 11. Finally, a spring plate 144 is mounted within the housing 18 such that its upper end thereof engages the bot- 108. In this manner, the coil spring 110 is woundtightly. As the players box, the gloves 64 of the figurines 16 eventually score by striking the heads 70 and torsos 30 of their opponents. At the. moment of contact, the torso 30 of the boxer that has been struck rotates, as previously explained, about the shafts 56 the rod 72 causes the lower end 78 thereof to force the plate 86 downwardly, as illustrated in FIG. l0a,.causing the left end of the arm 84 to rotate upwardly at which time the disc 124 and ridge 126 are free to rotate counterclockwise under the influence of the spring 110 acting through the gears 112, 114, 118 and 120. Of course, the torso 30 rotates back to its normal position under the influence of the spring 76 thus causing the rod 72 to move upwardly returning the arm 84 to its normal position blocking the ridge 126 so as to preclude more than one revolution of the disc 124. It will be further apparent that during this interval the shaft 108 has rotated a fixed degree determined by the ratio of the various gears. As will be further apparent, during this rotation of the shaft 108, the cut-out portion 106 has advanced a predetermined degree. ln this connection, it is noted that the fixed increments of rotation of the shaft l08 are designated by numbers shown on the top of the control knob 146 starting at zero and terminating at 21.

As the boxing match continues the gloves 64 of the respective boxers 16 continue to strike their opponents causing the respective rods 72 to move downwardly, as the torsos 30 rotate, releasing the respective discs 104 for rotation. Eventually, the cut-out portion 106 of the disc 104 rotates into juxtaposition with the flange 146 protruding outwardly from the rotating arm 96 thus causing the arm 96 to rotate counterclockwise-under the influence of the spring 100 until the flange 146 fits within the cut-out portion 106.

As further seen in FIG. 10, the arm 96 is provided withan upstanding cylindrical abutment 148 which fits within a corresponding opening 150 formed in the lefthand side of the plate 80. Thus, as the arm 96 rotates counterclockwise, the similar movement of the abutment 148 forces the frame 80 to slide to the right at which time the wall of the opening 140 engagesthe latching element 132 eventually moving same to the right, in turn, releasing the latching element 132 from the opening 142 in the platform 128. At this juncture, the platform 128 rotates abruptly counterclockwise, as illustrated in FIG. 11. The boxer that has been struck a predetermined number of times -21- thus falls backwardly, as illustrated in FIG. 11, signalling the end of the match. it is to be noted that each player by watching the rotation of the control knob 146 is kept advised as to the number of times his boxer has been struck.

'As will be further apparent from FIGS. 4 and 5, the base 10 is provided with openings within which practice punching bags 152 may be positioned. This permits the usual warming up exercise, if desired.

1 claim: 1. A boxing game comprising: a base; two housings, means mounting said housings for movement on said base, said housings being provided with handles having actuator members;

boxing figurines mounted on said housings in opposed relationship, each of said figurines having arms, means causing said arms to extend outwardly, a torso and means causing said torso to rock when contacted;

means operatively connecting said actuator members of said housings to said means causing said arms to extend outwardly of said figurines;

means counting and recording the number of times said torso of each of said figurines is rocked as a result of being contacted by at least one of the arms of the opposing figurine; and

means causing each of said figurines to rock backwardly out of position after said torso is contacted and rocked a predetermined plurality of times;

2. A boxing game as in claim 1, wherein said arms of said figurines include upper segments and wherein said means causing said arms to extend outwardly comprises a lever associated with each of said actuating members and mounted to said housing, one end of each of said levers being disposed directly below the corresponding actuating member, a rod associated with each of said levers and having a lower end resting against the other end of the said lever and operatively connected at its upper end to one of said upper arm segments of each of said arms, and means normally urging each of said arms downwardly from its extended position.

3. A boxing game as in claim 1, wherein said means mounting said housings for movement on said base comprises slots formed in said base and supports extending downwardly'from said housings and extending through said slots;

4. A boxing game as in claim 3, wherein said slots are positioned on said base such that when one of said figurines is in its forwardmost position and said arms thereof are fully extended, and the other of said figurines is in its rearwardmost position, the extended arms of said one figurine cannot touch said torso of said other figurine. 1

5. A boxing game as in claim 1, wherein said meanscausing said arms to extend outwardly comprises a chassis included within said figurine, two shafts connected to said chassis, each of said arms comprising a lower section provided with a glove, two upper sections, means pivotally connecting said lower section to said upper sections and means mounting said upper sections to rotate about said shafts.

6. A boxing game comprising: a base; two housings, means mounting said housings for movement on said base, said housings being provided with handles having actuator members; boxing figurines mountedon said housings in opposed relationship, each of said figurines having arms, means causingsaid arms to extend outwardly, a torso and means causing said torso to rock when contacted;

means operatively connecting said actuator members of said housings to said means causing said arms to extend outwardly of said figurines; and

means counting and recording the number of times said torso of each of said figurines is rocked as a result of being contacted by at least one of the arms of the opposing figurine, comprising a rod operatively connected at its upper end to each of said torsos, a control knob'operatively mounted for rodetermined number of degrees. 

1. A boxing game comprising: a base; two housings, means mounting said housings for movement on said base, said housings being provided with handles having actuator members; boxing figurines mounted on said housings in opposed relationship, each of said figurines having arms, means causing said arms to extend outwardly, a torso and means causing said torso to rock when contacted; means operatively connecting said actuator members of said housings to said means causing said arms to extend outwardly of said figurines; means counting and recording the number of times said torso of each of said figurines is rocked as a result of being contacted by at least one of the arms of the opposing figurine; and means causing each of said figurines to rock backwardly out of position after said torso is contacted and rocked a predetermined plurality of times.
 2. A boxing game as in claim 1, wherein said arms of said figurines include upper segments and wherein said means causing said arms to extend outwardly comprises a lever associated with each of said actuating members and mounted to said housing, one end of each of said levers being disposed directly below the corresponding actuating member, a rod associated with each of said levers and having a lower end resting against the other end of the said lever and operatively connected at its upper end to one of said upper arm segments of each of said arms, and means normally urging each of said arms downwardly from its extended position.
 3. A boxing game as in claim 1, wherein said means mounting said housings for movement on said base comprises slots formed in said base and supports extending downwardly from said housings and extending through said slots.
 4. A boxing game as in claim 3, wherein said slots are positioned on said base such that when one of said figurines is in its forwardmost position and said arms thereof are fully extended, and the other of said figurines is in its rearwardmost position, the extended arms of said one figurine cannot touch said torso of said other figurine.
 5. A boxing game as in claim 1, wherein said means causing said arms to extend outwardly comprises a chassis included within said figurine, two shafts connected to said chassis, Each of said arms comprising a lower section provided with a glove, two upper sections, means pivotally connecting said lower section to said upper sections and means mounting said upper sections to rotate about said shafts.
 6. A boxing game comprising: a base; two housings, means mounting said housings for movement on said base, said housings being provided with handles having actuator members; boxing figurines mounted on said housings in opposed relationship, each of said figurines having arms, means causing said arms to extend outwardly, a torso and means causing said torso to rock when contacted; means operatively connecting said actuator members of said housings to said means causing said arms to extend outwardly of said figurines; and means counting and recording the number of times said torso of each of said figurines is rocked as a result of being contacted by at least one of the arms of the opposing figurine, comprising a rod operatively connected at its upper end to each of said torsos, a control knob operatively mounted for rotation with respect to each of said housings and means operatively connecting said rod and said control knob for advancing said control knob a number of degrees each time said rod is moved downwardly by the rocking action of its associated torso, said control knob being provided with indicia corresponding to said number of degrees such that the user is advised of the number of times said torso has been rocked.
 7. A boxing game as in claim 6, including means causing each of said figurines to move to inoperative position as its associated control knob advances a predetermined number of degrees. 